SGVF articles

On 29 June 2015, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) presented the SGV Foundation (SGVF) with a certification as an auxiliary social welfare and development agency (SWDA) under the Resource Agency category. SGVF Executive Director Marlu Balmaceda received the certification from members of the DSWD Institutional Development Group, headed by Undersecretary Angelita Gregorio-Medel. The certification is valid until 29 March 2018. An auxiliary SWDA supports the delivery of social welfare and development programs and services to disadvantaged sectors. A Resource Agency, in particular, is an auxiliary SWDA that provides tangible (funds, food, clothing, medicine, shelter) or intangible resources (knowledge and skills) to assist various SWDAs in providing social services to their beneficiaries. The Foundation can now officially accept donations for calamities and other occurrences that may involve donations and handle the distribution of such funds to the intended beneficiaries.

The SGV Foundation and the co-presenters of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2015 signed recently a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). Present at the MOA signing were representatives from the PSE, the Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Business for Social Progress as well as media sponsors BusinessWorld and the ABS-CBN News Channel. Since its launch in 2003, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program has become one of the most prestigious awards programs in the local business community. The program recognizes the strength, dynamism and resilience of Filipino entrepreneurs for creating and operating sustainable, successful enterprises. The search is open to all Filipino entrepreneurs. To be eligible, a nominee has to be a Filipino business owner or founder who is primarily responsible for the growth of his or her company. The nominee must still be active in business, which must have been in operation for at least two years. A completed nomination form, audited financial statements and other documents are required for a nomination to be considered for further judging. Nominations to the award will be accepted until May 31, 2015. The theme for the 2015 program is “Game Changers” – a term that best describes entrepreneurs as those who win the game by changing it for the better. Capitalizing on their strategic vision, they see the possibilities and opportunities that others cannot. They bring about positive transformation by applying creative innovation infused with dauntless determination. As game changers, entrepreneurs support a greater purpose, which is to improve the current business landscape by challenging conventions and creating new paradigms that drive social and economic development. For nomination forms and other information, please contact the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines secretariat at 891-0307 local 7766 or e-mail eoy.info@ph.ey.com. Contact: Marlu Balmaceda (894-8364) or Yin Maldonado (891-0307 ext. 7768) About the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program was founded in the United States by Ernst & Young (EY) in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs worldwide. In 2001, EY expanded the program and launched the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. In the Philippines, the SGV Foundation, Inc. established the Entrepreneur Of The Year program in 2003. Supporting the program as co-presenters are the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. Media sponsors are BusinessWorld and the ABS-CBN News Channel. Jollibee Foods Corporation President and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong won the very first Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines award in 2003 and went on to win the 2004 World Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Other past awardees include Socorro “Nanay Coring” Cancio-Ramos, Founder and General Manager of National Book Store (2004); Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Air, Inc. (2005); Senen Bacani, Chairman and President of La Frutera, Inc. (2006); Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation (2007); Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, Chairman and President of Planters Development Bank (2009); Tennyson Chen, President of Bounty Fresh Food Inc. (2010); Erramon I. Aboitiz, President and CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation (2011); Jaime I. Ayala, Founder and CEO, Hybrid Social Solutions Inc. (2012); and Ben Chan, Chairman of Suyen Corporation (2013). A highly distinguished panel of independent judges composed of leaders from government, business, and academe will evaluate nominees in areas such as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their business, employees and community. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program was introduced in the United States in 1986 by professional services firm Ernst & Young to recognize the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs within successful, growing and dynamic businesses. The program currently runs in more than 145 cities across 60 countries. Each country sends its winner to the World Entrepreneur Of The Year event held annually in Monte Carlo, at which the winner of the World Entrepreneur Of The Year award is announced.

The Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV), in collaboration with the SGVF, published the 17th volume of Former President Fidel Ramos’ (FVR) collection of essays and speeches. Perform, Reform and Transformwas launched last 20 February at Powerbooks in Greenbelt 4. In attendance were SGVF Projects Committee Chair Cynthia Manlapig, Assistant Treasurer Ruben Rubio, RPDEV partner-in-charge Ladiz Avila and Executive Director Marlu Balmaceda. The SGVF provides assistance in the publication of books and materials to document thoughts and declarations on public interest issues, leadership, management and professional thinking. This book, which is part of FVR’s legacy to younger Filipinos, is the foundation’s seventh project with RPDEV since 2001.

The Metrobank Foundation bestowed the 2014 Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) recognition upon the SGV Foundation (SGVF) during its 35th anniversary celebration last 29 January. SGVF Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Itos Cruz accepted the award. The roster of PEACE honorees comprises institutions from various sectors that mirror the Metrobank Foundation’s commitment to uplifting the lives of the least in society and recognizing outstanding Filipinos. The SGVF was recognized for being a valuable partner in ensuring the successful implementation of the Metrobank Foundation’s programs that promote a culture of excellence and social responsibility towards nation-building. In particular, SGV was the official tabulator in the conduct of the Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers and Journalists of the Year.

Despite the preparations for the upcoming busy season, the Asia-Pacific Talent Hub (ATH) still found time to give back to the students of Abuyog South Central School in Leyte who were adversely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda last November 2013. The typhoon devastated the students’ homes and everything left inside, including their books and school supplies. Wanting to bring hope to the students and believing in the importance of quality education, the ATH set out on a mission to send the children much-needed supplies. The ATH outreach committee coordinated with Ms. Jane Marie Arias, a faculty member from the school. Two boxes of the repacked bags were delivered to the Port of Manila for shipment. After four days, the bags arrived in Leyte and were then distributed to 98 Grade 1 and 130 Grade 2 students. Ms. Arias shared that the school’s faculty members, as well as the principal, burst into tears when the bags arrived. They became even more emotional when they started reading the messages of hope our people wrote in the Christmas cards packed with the school supplies. One senior associate wrote “…lagi kang magpakabait, mag-aral mabuti at sumunod sa iyong mga magulang. Huwag kang mawalan ng pag-asa. Lagi mong tatandaan mahal ka ni Jesus. Lagi siyang nandiyan sa tabi mo at hindi ka niya pababayaan…”

SGV donated a total of 150 pre-owned laptops to the 1000 Teachers Program (1000 TP) of the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) last 18 February at The Tower Club, Makati. The SGV Foundation facilitated the donation to PBEd. In the laptop turnover ceremony, SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Itos Cruz and SGV Foundation Projects Committee Chair Cynthia Manalapig along with PBEd Chairman Ramon Del Rosario and President Chito Salazar handed out laptops to four scholars from De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST). According to SGVF Chairman and President and PBEd Board Member Vic Noel, “SGV is an institution that puts a premium on education and considers lifelong learning as one of its core values. In today’s schools where technology has become a necessary tool, we hope that the laptops will be very helpful to the PBEd’s scholars in their studies.” DLSU 1000 TP scholar Shaira Abdon shared, “I am so thankful because I used to do my school requirements in school or through my friend’s laptop. Now, through SGV and PBEd, I have my own laptop. This is a really big help to me and my studies.” The laptops will be distributed to the hundreds of PBEd’s 1000 TP scholars studying in more than 20 universities across the country.

Two months after Typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas region, donations to the SGV Foundation (SGVF) Calamity Fund from our EY family continue to arrive. Aside from the previously reported donations from EY offices in Dubai, Thailand and Korea as well as the EY P&G Team, SGVF has also received donations and pledges from EY Malaysia managing partner Sang Hoe Chow, EY China Foundation Ltd. (a charity representing Hong Kong and Mainland China), EY Taiwan, EY Hamburg partner Frank Broetzmann and EY Cologne partner Gerd Stürz. The SGVF Calamity Fund was initially used for food sponsorship for DSWD volunteers and financial assistance for SGV staff and SGVF scholars directly affected by the typhoon. In addition, the SGVF also made donations to the Andres Soriano Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Metrobank Foundation, Synergeia Foundation and Children’s Hour Foundation.

People leader Vince Abella and SGV Foundation (SGVF) Executive Director Marlu Balmaceda headed for Iloilo to provide financial assistance of PhP10,000 to each of the 48 University of the Philippines (UP) Tacloban accounting students who were adversely affected by Typhoon Yolanda. These students have cross-enrolled in UP Iloilo for this semester. Many of them live in Eastern Samar and other devastated areas. During their visit, regular stipends were also handed out to our 24 UP Iloilo scholars. The students, along with UP Iloilo Accounting Department Chair Professor Art Barrido and UP Tacloban Dean Anita Cular, expressed their deep gratitude to SGV and the SGVF for the financial assistance. Prof. Barrido says part of our gift will enable the students to be with their families this Christmas.

As part of our efforts to provide relief and aid to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, the SGV Foundation (SGVF) channeled all international and local donations from our current partners and staff, alumni and EY offices in other countries into the SGVF Calamity Fund. The fund is initially being used for the following purposes: SGV food sponsorship. SGV has been providing food through the SGV Foundation for DSWD volunteers helping in the Yolanda relief operations in the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC). This started last 15 November and will last until 3 Dec, 2013. Donations to selected institutions directly involved in the relief efforts. Upon consolidating the calamity fund, SGVF will remit cash donations to identified NGOs and accredited organizations. These include the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Philippine National Red Cross, 700 Club Asia, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Ateneo de Manila University, Habitat for Humanity, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East and World Vision. Financial assistance for SGV staff and SGVF scholars directly affected by the typhoon. To date, we have provided financial assistance to 93 affected staff members. Medicine packs were also given to affected staff members who went home to their respective provinces. At the MG level, volunteers have been encouraged to help the Department of Social Welfare and Development in repacking relief goods. SGV sent volunteers to the three relief operations in Villamor Airbase, Cargohaus NAIA and Ateneo De Manila University from November 14-20, 2013. At least 150 SGV volunteers including partners and staff shared their time in helping out in the relief operations being run by the Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The volunteers helped out in the unloading of incoming goods, repacking and sacking of relief goods, and loading of sacked goods ready for shipping. They also assisted in volunteer management. SGV Cebu organizes relief goods Meanwhile, Cebu SGVeans joined forces last 16 November to pack relief goods such as canned food, rice, drinking water, medicines, candles and matches for the victims of the Typhoon Yolanda. Messages of encouragement and hope were written on the canned goods as a small gesture of comfort, letting the victims know that they are not alone. The relief goods were then dropped off at the University of the Philippines-Lahug, Cebu to be delivered together with other aid to the Northern parts of Cebu which were badly hit by the typhoon. Your compassion and spirit of volunteerism have made all this possible. Thank you very much for your generosity and hard work.